Ex-ISI chief Gul says he was not involved with Al-Qaeda

Islamabad, Dec.8 (ANI): Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General, Lt. Gen. (retired) Hamid Gul, has rejected all allegations regarding his connection with banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba and also about his involvement in any terrorist activities involving Al Qaeda. In an interview to a U.S. based T.V channel, he said: Whatever happens in India, it (India) is in habit of putting blames on others. Referring to the Samjhauta Express massacre of 2007, Lt. Gen. (retired) Gul was quoted by the Daily Times as saying earlier India had put blame on Pakistan, but later it was proved that insiders were involved in the incident. Earlier, a U.S. secret document has declared Gul as having maintained links with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda network, besides being involved in arranging financial assistance to them. The two-page unsigned document has already been handed over to the Pakistan Government. Meanwhile, a report in the Dawn says that the United States has not asked Pakistan to hand over Gul to India. The US and Indian media reported on Saturday that the United States has asked Pakistan to hand over Gul and Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Zaki ur-Rehman Lakhwi to India. I doubt it, said a senior diplomat when asked to comment on the report. I do not believe that Pakistan can hand over a former ISI chief to India for interrogation, he added. The diplomat said the Americans also knew that this was a demand Pakistan could not fulfill, and therefore, they would never back such a demand. But the sources said that another report that the United States might place Gul on a UN terrorist list was more credible. The issue came up at a State Department briefing on Friday when a reporter asked deputy spokesman Robert Wood to confirm if the US had already sent the names of some Pakistani individuals, including several retired ISI officials, to the Security Council for addition to the UN terrorist sanctions list. Im not going to comment on names that we may or may not submit to the UN, said Wood. It wouldnt be appropriate for me to do at this point, he added. Gul says he has asked his government for support. Once the list of an individual or a group is added to this list, all UN members are required to freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities. UN members are also required to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories by designated individuals. (ANI)